GOWNS "THE HOLLOWS" ALBUM REVIEW

Reminiscent of the “The” bands of the early 2000s, Gowns’s upcoming EP “The Hollows” achieves a sound that is simultaneously nostalgic and fresh. John Bair’s crooning vocals immediately stand out over the often echo affected guitar from Evan Willie and Eric Wagner, the tight but groovy drums of Zach Reiff, and the grounding tones of bassist Brian Wagner. Danceable rock or rock infused pop, no matter how you try to describe it the sound is exciting and entices you to move along to the beat. At only three tracks, "The Hollows” gives you just a taste and leaves you wanting me, but fortunately the EP has great replay value and can be listened to on repeat without ever feeling repetitive. Love is a theme woven through the EP, but it’s not always obvious and it’s never without conflict. While the instrumentals on the opening track “Karianne” are up beat and danceable, the lyrics are bleak and paint a picture of looming governments and mistrust. Poisoned water, the threat of nuclear war, and air pollution are just a few of the touch points on “Karianne.” “Sleepover” feels like if The Strokes had the slightest bit of a surf influence; with a couple entertaining guitar solos thrown in for fun. I catch a sense of heartbreak in the song, but feel like the full meaning of the song is intentionally obscured. My favorite track is the closer “Lighthouse,” a darkly energetic and stuttering song with a storyline that has something to do with religion and anger. Alternative-pop-rock with a bit of darkness thrown in the mix, “The Hollows” is a fantastic debut EP and absolutely worth checking out.

Gowns:
Vocals: John Bair
Guitars: Evan Willie and Eric Wagner
Bass: Brian Wagner
Drums: Zach Reiff

(Melodic Noise) How's your day going?
(Gowns) Great! We just got off the air at (radio station) for an interview, so we have a back-to-back going on.

(MN) What is your formed/origin story?
(G) The original members formed via craigslist. Since then, we’ve added Brian and Eric through mutual friends.

(MN) Genre?
(G) Alternative rock

(MN) Do you have a label?
(G) No

(MN) Album name?
(G) The hollows, based off of a West Virginia geographical story that connects multiple themes and people

(MN) Lyrically what stands out?
(G) The lyrics portray honesty, even when it’s not always appropriate.

(MN) What was the inspiration behind the album?
(G) Holy shit we need music, jk. The inspiration behind the album is a mixture of exploring themes of youthful anxiety and becoming + religious fantacism.

(MN) What do you hope people take away from it?
(G) We want people to be immersed into a world and experience what it’s like to be the characters. We also just want people to take away what they want from it. We try to make it a shared experience with wiggle room for the listener to interpret independently.

(MN) Are you local or transplants?
(G) Zach and John are transplants from North Dakota and West Virginia, respectively. Evan, Eric and Brian are all Twin Cities Area natives.

(MN) Influences?
(G) The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, The Clash, The Cure, Billy Idol, Tears for Fears, Radiohead

(MN) Who are some of your favorite current Twin Cities artists?
(G) The Bad Man, Early Eyes, Immaculate Beings, Why Not

(MN) What is your favorite venue to play and see shows at in Twin Cities?
(G) To play: Studio B. To attend: The Palace, Mainroom, House Venues

(MN) What can fans expect when they come to your shows?
(G) Dynamic energetic performance

(MN) Do you have a favorite or crazy memory of playing a show?
(G-Zach) Playing with a 101.4 fever
(G-Evan) One song street gig at prayer service/pot luck
(G-John) Intoxicated woman joining me on stage and assaulting me
(G-Eric) Playing at a MEGACHRUCH in Fargo

(MN) Dream tour mates?
(G) Albert Hammond Jr., The Bad Man, Night Moves, Arctic Monkeys

(MN) What are some of your other hobbies?
(G-Brian) Plant enthusiast
(G-Evan) really likes watching Billy Idol music videos
(G-Zach) Watching horror movies, playing/watching sports
(G-Eric) Art, reading
(G-John) Biking, Yoga

(MN) What do you like about twin cities?
(G) We love the music scene in the Twin Cities. Every day we find new local bands that are absolutely killing it. We also love the people in the area, everyone seems to have a genuine way about them and it’s fantastic to be around.

(MN) Anything that sets the TC apart from other places
(G) People coming together to support local art, music.

(MN) Favorite places to grab food?
(G) Stray dog, Brit’s, Red Cow, Revival

(MN) Day Jobs?
(G-Zach) Digital Marketing Consultant
(G-Brian) Artist
(G-Eric) Sound Emgineer
(G-Evan) Host
(G-John) Healthcare Provider

(MN) Future plans for the band?
(G) Record a full length album & go on tour

(MN) Do you have anyone you want to thank or shout out?
(G) Matt Patrick (Recording/Mixing/Mastering) @ The Library Studio, Krista Vilinskis (Publicist) @ Tinderbox Music, Dillon Bauman & Trevor Skarie (Album art/design) and all of our friends, fans and family that have supported us thus far!

Make sure to catch Gowns’ EP release show at Skyway Theater/Studio B on Friday, February 28 with special guests JØUR and Rhino Shrine. You can also catch them live at the here4lyf depression/suicide awareness show at Whiskey Junction, 6pm on March 16.

Follow Gowns on their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Review and Interview by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Writer @PlaylistTC